HaydenBlaney

As the tennis team’s season wraps up toward the end of the year, their accomplishments are rising. 

Senior Aziza Akshalova, an international student from Kazakhstan, joined the tennis team her junior year when she came to Marian. Due to NSAA rules, she could not play varsity her first year but built her skills on JV. She played mostly singles this season with one doubles match. 

“It is my first and last year as a high school varsity tennis player, so that is exciting. I try to really enjoy every match and practice that we’ve had and will have together because after this school year, I’m going back home,” Akshalova said. 

Freshman Kate Egan made the varsity team alongside her older sister, senior Sarah Egan. She played mostly doubles along with four singles matches. 

“Playing with Sarah is such an amazing opportunity. It’s very special that we get to spend this time together, especially since she’s leaving for college soon,” Egan said. “The season has been fantastic so far. We are playing great and work very well together as a team.”

Akshalova also expressed her happiness with how the team’s season is going.

“The team’s season is going well, everybody is locked in, and every girl is trying her best to bring wins to the team. I think we only had two or three losses so far as a team,” she said. “My own personal season is going pretty good, too. I lost three games in total, but the rest of them I won and, even though I lost those three matches, I think I can win them in the future.” 

As of May 3, the team is 5-2 on the season. 

“Being a freshman on varsity is important to me, and I want other girls in sports to know that if you stay focused and put your all into your sport it will pay off,” Egan said. 

Besides focus, the tennis team’s camaraderie is one of the defining factors of this year’s program. 

“I think what makes Marian tennis special is that every player gives her best. Positivity and support are very much present in our tennis team which is very important because tennis is predominantly an individual sport,” Akshalova said. 

“Marian tennis is special because of the players.  All the girls on our team have played tennis most, if not all, of their lives. My teammates make practice enjoyable no matter what,” Egan said. 

The season has been filled with meaningful moments to the players, not just on the court, but off of it as well. 

“My favorite moment from our season was probably the team dinner that we had with our coach after one of our matches. We had some pizza, dessert and I got to know my teammates better,” Akshalova said. 

“I have a lot of favorite moments from the season so far. My absolute favorites come from the drives to and from our Lincoln duals,” Egan said.

Looking ahead, the tennis season is wrapping up as the school year does. “We have some tough dual matches and invitationals, as well as Metros and State left, but I think we can handle them all. State will be tough, but I think we have good chances to make it to the top or final,” Akshalova said. 

As a senior, Akshalova said she hopes to leave a legacy on the tennis program.

 “I really hope to bring more wins to our school, and of course win State or at least bring very good results to our school from the State Championship,” she said. 

The Metro tournament starts on May 9 followed by State on May 21.